M17x R3 w/ 460m(3D) or M17x R3 w/ 6970(2D)? Performance or 3D?

I'm kind of in a bind here. Is the performance that significant between the two cards? I know the 6970 is better. I'm kind of stressing out because I cannot figure out whether I should ditch the 3D screen and go with the 6970 or stay with the 3D and deal with the 460.

In another point of view, the people with the 3D version, do you really like the 3D? Do you use it a lot and don't mind sacrificing the performance of the 460 over the 6970 just for the 3D?

sorry for all the questions just trying to get my mind set right. Thanks.

 

I believe the 6970 is about 50% better if I am not mistaken. The bottom line is that you have to decide whether to sacrifice the performance for the 3D, personally I didn't go 3D due to weaker gpu and the fact I think 3D is still fairly new and I might get into it when it develops further, ie. no glasses needed.

Edit: I also have a 60' 3D TV and hardly ever use the 3D because I don't find it that great.

 

3D is very gimmicky right now.

I don't have anything 3D yet, but I do plan on buying a 3d tv/monitor to hook up to the laptop. I'll get the performance I want and 3D on a seperate screen.

According to benchmarks @ notebookcheck the 6970m is like having TWO 460m!

 

Exactly as Jas said. I feel you should also take into consideration what types of games you'll be playing. It's not like the 460m is a bad card, it's just not AS good as the 6970. I would have opted for the latter, but I prefer a desktop when playing competitively. Just a personal preference.

 

It depends on your needs. The 3d 120hz screen is brighter to make up for the dimming effect of the glasses. But you sacrifice Widi, and battery life. Also,the power of a 6970 is a lil bit under 460m SLI.

I would advise going to bestbuy or something and asking for a 3d demonstration. That will give you a sense of what 3d is all about. I find that the majority of people who call 3d "gimmicky" haven't experienced it much, and are defending their purchase. Of course I may be mistaken, but most/if not all have been so.

 

It's a choice between 3d or pure gaming. Only you can decide that. I'm still trying to make a decsion!


Right now 3d seems to be losing in my eyes...I feel 3d still needs to develop for a few years before it's worth it.

 

I'm going to cancel and get the 6970 because honestly I won't be using 3D that much that I have to give up on performance.

 

If you did not order yet get the 6970m
even 6970m power is not enough for true playable 3D experience

6970m max out most games at average of 40FPS at 1080p max settings 4xAA
that's 20frame average per eye on 3D with drops to 10-15 at minimum = not playable for me

With GTX460 you are looking at 10-15Frames per eye average at maxed settings (low frames with 3D = hell trust me)

which do you prefer?

6970m = 1080p maxed settings 4xAA 40-45frame average no 3D
GTX 460m +3D unplayable 1080p 3D imo so it's 720p+3D for decent frames
GTX 460m without 3D = 1080p maxed settings 25-30Frames WITHOUT AA

6970m is no brainer for a gamer specially for the upcoming games which seems very demanding (Skyrim max settings/battlefield 3 etc)

not all is lost though, you can always upgrade to future nvidia cards with alienware, early 2012 we suppose to get 28nm graphic cards which should be much faster than current cards, that way you can do 3D+1080p with decent frames

 

What everyone seems to have left out is that you can use the 120hz screen without the 3d...I am loving my r3 with 460/120hz screen...

 

For me 3d wasnt that hot. The screen was nice, but the 6970 card is just such a powerhouse and will hold you over for awhile. However if they can ever get the 485 to work in the r3 and do the 3d, you have a nice set up.

Best advice is to see a few 3d things, or screens and if you can handle it and see it ( I think like 10 percent of people cant even see in stereo effect that 3d produces ), and if you really love it and dont get queasy, it might be the choice for you.

For me, I think it needs some work and I like the idea of glasses free 3d screen like Asus and Toshiba is working on.

 

Well yea. Luckily I'm not a huge gamer(although I plan to be ) so I took the 3d option but after trying it out I felt it was not worth it.

I'm sending it back. Going to get the M18x when it comes out.

 

Yes but the combination of 6970m with 60 Hz vs 460m 120 Hz is still eh. The screen brightness doesn't even matter that much to me. I bet the 120 Hz doesn't have that much of a gap to the 60 Hz, correct?

 

It's a little brighter but other than that not worth one would really miss.

 

I usually reduce brightness from max brightness and lets not kid ourselves we ain't getting 120 frame in general with GTX460 for those who were talking about 120hz screen, you will be lucky to get stable 30 frame at 1080p on "average"

 

It already sounds like you're doubting the 460m. Once you get it, you'll only regret your purchase further. Best bet for you is to cancel/return and get the 6970. At this point you're trying to talk yourself into getting the 6970, so you may as well.

 

I'm going to get the 6970m but I can't cancel it now it's too late. Is there anyway when I get it to return it without the restocking fees or just cancel while it's still in production?

 

Added a poll~

 

Voted 2d because of the card.

 

if one of these two threads recieves a post with some positive confirmation of 6870M/6970M outputting 3D via the hdmi 1.4 included on the M17x R3, then so long as you have some external 3D lcd/plasma/dlp you'd have the best of both worlds!~

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...0m-6970m-amd-hd3d-external-3d-compatible.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/560249-6970-question.html

 

3D Movies via ati is not an issue and can be done, but for 3D games Nvidia is the way to go.

 

Is there anyway to cancel my order even when In Production?

 

You can but they might charge you a fee, you can call and try, sometimes they might even offer you a discount so you wouldn't cancel it.

 

Not exactly. That may have been your personal experience, but that didn't happen to me when I called 2 weeks ago. Also, somewhere in the guidelines, you have up to 21 days AFTER you get the system to return it without paying any fees whatsoever.

Take the discount thing with a grain of salt, some people get up to 200$ to keep their order, some 100$, some none. Personally, I got forwarded to some guy in India who canceled it without any offers or fees.

 

So you did cancel it while it's was In Production?